May 3, 2015
Series: Discovering the Life Changing Gospel
The “Trials” Begin
John 18:12–14 (HCSB)
12 Then the company of soldiers, the commander, and the Jewish temple police arrested Jesus and tied Him up. 13 First they led Him to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. 14 Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was advantageous that one man should die for the people.
John 18:19–24 (HCSB) 19The high priest questioned Jesus about His disciples and about His teaching. 20“I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus answered him. “I have always taught in the synagogue and in the temple complex, where all the Jews congregate, and I haven’t spoken anything in secret. 21Why do you question Me? Question those who heard what I told them. Look, they know what I said.” 22When He had said these things, one of the temple police standing by slapped Jesus, saying, “Is this the way you answer the high priest?” 23“If I have spoken wrongly,” Jesus answered him, “give evidence about the wrong; but if rightly, why do you hit Me?” 24Then Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.
John 18:12–14 (HCSB) 12 Then the company of soldiers, the commander, and the Jewish temple police arrested Jesus and tied Him up. 13 First they led Him to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. 14 Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was advantageous that one man should die for the people.
John 18:19–24 (HCSB) 19The high priest questioned Jesus about His disciples and about His teaching. 20“I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus answered him. “I have always taught in the synagogue and in the temple complex, where all the Jews congregate, and I haven’t spoken anything in secret. 21Why do you question Me? Question those who heard what I told them. Look, they know what I said.” 22When He had said these things, one of the temple police standing by slapped Jesus, saying, “Is this the way you answer the high priest?” 23“If I have spoken wrongly,” Jesus answered him, “give evidence about the wrong; but if rightly, why do you hit Me?” 24Then Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.
- THERE WAS AN APPEARANCE OF AN INVESTIGATION AND TRIAL, BUT THE DECISION WAS ALREADY IN. (vv. 18:12-14)
- The Romans were there as a show of force, but the Jews were in charge.
- The appearance before Annas was an act of defiance.
- The Jewish leaders had already made up their minds what they wanted to do.
John 11:49–53 (HCSB)
49One of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all! 50You’re not considering that it is to your advantage that one man should die for the people rather than the whole nation perish.” 51He did not say this on his own, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation, 52and not for the nation only, but also to unite the scattered children of God. 53So from that day on they plotted to kill Him.
Truth for Today: When someone’s mind is already made up, they don’t want to be confused by the facts.
- THE INTERROGATION WAS ILLEGAL, BUT IT HAD A PURPOSE. (v. 18:19)
- The religious trials had a purpose—build a case for a civil trial.
- This “trial” was missing one key ingredient—a witness.
- The questioning was not to determine the truth, but to find an angle.
Truth for Today: Standing for the truth may not always be the desired results with man, but always pleases God.
- THE RESPONSE WAS TO CALL FOR WITNESSES OF THE TRUTH. (vv. 18:20-24)
- Jesus challenges Annas to examine His public teaching ministry.
- Jesus appeals to His right to have a witness come forward to accuse Him.
- Jesus receives a foretaste of the physical pain awaiting Him on the Cross.
Truth for Today: When we live a life based on truth, we welcome the testimony of those we encounter.
The series of mock trials begin with the interrogation from the high priest emeritus that would foreshadow the series of injustices that would carry Jesus to the Cross on our behalf.
